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Profit on cost — what it is and how to use it

Profit on cost is the sniff test for a residential development. The formula, typical hurdles and how to defend it in IC.

5 min readUpdated May 2026

Formula

Profit on cost = (Net realisation − TDC) / TDC. Net realisation is GRV minus selling costs and GST. TDC is all-in cost.

Typical hurdles

18–22% is the conventional minimum for a build-to-sell apartment in Australia. Larger projects with longer programs need 20–25% to compensate for risk. Lenders and equity partners often have their own thresholds.

vs development margin

Profit on cost measures capital efficiency. Development margin measures pricing power. ICs want both above their hurdle.

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